Detroit Puts Brakes On Plan To Hire 100 Firefighters

DETROIT (WWJ) First there came news the city of Detroit -- which has long faced controversy over delayed 911 calls and shuttered fire stations -- was suddenly going to hire 100 firefighters, starting Monday.

Then the city put on the brakes on the plan.

Union leaders had been working on a plan to move fire stations and supply them with new equipment. The plan is set for release in mid-September.

Apparently in the interim, planned hiring is on hold indefinitely.

The move comes amid reports Fire Commissioner Don Austin is looking to outsource firefighters' agility training to Schoolcraft College in Livonia. 

Officials say the city's financial problems have left the fire department short-staffed to cover what in Detroit amounts to an average of 20 fires a day.

Two years ago the city had more than 1,000 firefighters; now the city has fewer than 800.